4 Ways to Deal with a Messy Neighbor

February 23, 2016

Everyone has their own way of dealing with messes. Some people are naturally clean and organized individuals and others don’t mind living in a little clutter. But when you have a neighbor whose clutter or downright mess is affecting your property, something might need to be done. Here are some steps to take when dealing with a messy neighbor.

1. The Talk – Confrontation is never an easy thing. However, talking is generally the best first approach when dealing with an issue. Head on over, knock on the door, and ask if you could talk to them for a brief moment about the mess. Be sure to have specifics, come at the topic with a respectful tone, and be open to listen.

2. The Letter – If the talk didn’t go as planned, a letter might be just what you need. While it seems formal, it can also be a great way to get exactly the issues you need addressed across while at the same time easy to keep a copy for future reference.

3. Volunteer – Your neighbor could be disabled, elderly, or having difficulty in their lives. Getting to know your neighbor and offering to help mow the lawn, clean up trash, or take care of other issues they may be having could be just the help they need, and just the care your neighborhood needs to maintain its clean façade.

4. Report to City – If you have run out of options, reporting the neighbor to the city might be the only way to handle this situation. A messy neighbor could directly affect the value of your home. So if no other attempts have worked out, consider filing a report with the city to hopefully draw some attention to the situation and bring the overall appearance of the neighborhood back to high standards.

This is a tough situation many homeowners find themselves having to deal with but with the right approach, it can be handled professionally, quickly, and with a resolution that appeases all.